User interfaces for HVAC schedule display and modification on smartphone or other space-limited touchscreen device

ABSTRACT

A novel small format touch screen user interface for displaying, adding and editing program setpoints is described. When editing a setpoint the user&#39;s input is constrained such that the user can only alter one parameter (either time or temperature). As soon as the user begins to drag a setpoint icon in either a horizontal (i.e. adjusting time), or vertical (i.e. adjusting temperature), the other parameter is constrained. Additionally, the disclosed user interface includes displaying information as to how the setpoint was most recently added or adjusted. For example the display can be used to indicate whether a setpoint was added or adjusted (1) on the thermostat itself; (2) by an automated learning algorithm; (3) by a user on a web client; or (4) by a user using a mobile client (such as a smart phone or tablet PC). Further, the name of the particular device is also displayed if known.

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 13/624,875, filedSep. 21, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No.13/434,560 filed Mar. 29, 2012. Each of the above-referenced patentapplications is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

This patent specification relates to systems, methods, and relatedcomputer program products for the monitoring and control ofenergy-consuming systems or other resource-consuming systems. Moreparticularly, this patent specification relates to user interfaces forHVAC schedule display and modification on smartphone or otherspace-limited touchscreen device.

BACKGROUND

Particular challenges arise when designing a remote user-interface for aprogrammable thermostat where the remote user device is a smart phone orother space-limited touch screen device. On such space limited devicesit can be difficult or confusing for a user to make simple programmingchanges such as adding, editing or deleting setpoints, as well as obtaininformation with would be useful in maintaining both comfort in theuser's dwelling and energy efficiency of the HVAC system.

It is to be appreciated that although exemplary embodiments arepresented herein for the particular context of HVAC system control,there are a wide variety of other resource usage contexts for which theembodiments are readily applicable including, but not limited to, waterusage, air usage, the usage of other natural resources, and the usage ofother (i.e., non-HVAC-related) forms of energy, as would be apparent tothe skilled artisan in view of the present disclosure. Therefore, suchapplication of the embodiments in such other resource usage contexts isnot outside the scope of the present teachings.

SUMMARY

According to one or more embodiments, a method is described ofinteractively and graphically interfacing with a user of an HVAC systemcontrolled by a thermostat. The method includes: storing a plurality ofprogrammed setpoints on a memory on the thermostat, each of thesetpoints being associated with a setpoint temperature and a time atwhich the setpoint is programmed to become active; on a small formattouch-screen display device in a location remote from the thermostat(for example on a smart phone or a table computer), graphicallydisplaying a two dimensional plot including one or more setpoint iconseach being associated with one of the plurality of programmed setpoints,such that the position of each setpoint icon indicates to the user thetemperature by virtue of a position of the icon along a first axis andthe time by virtue of a position of the icon along a second axisassociated with the associated setpoint; receiving user input in a formof a touch motion (for example a dragging motion) by the user of adisplayed setpoint icon indicating an intention by the user to adjust(1) the temperature of the setpoint associated with the icon by virtueof the touch motion being primarily in a direction parallel to the firstaxis, or (2) the time of the setpoint associated with the icon by virtueof the touch motion being primarily in the direction of the second axis;and constraining user adjustments to time adjustments when the receiveduser input indicates an intention to adjust the time, and constraininguser adjustments to temperature adjustments when the received user inputindicates an intention to adjust the temperature.

According to some embodiments indicators (such as shaded bars) aredisplayed indicating that the setpoint can be adjusted both indirections initially (parallel to both the first and second axes), andafter the constraining, displaying only indicators associated with theun-constrained axis. According to some embodiments, a large setpointicon can be displayed above the setpoint icon.

According to some embodiments, a method is described of interactivelyand graphically displaying programmed setpoint information to a user ofan HVAC system controlled by a thermostat. The method includes:receiving and storing information indicating for a first thermostatsetpoint, a way in which the first setpoint was generated and/oradjusted, the indicated way being selected from one of a plurality ofpredefined ways in which setpoints can be generated and/or adjusted; ona display device in a location remote from the thermostat, graphicallydisplaying a graphical daily summary of thermostat information for eachof a plurality of days, the graphical daily summary including at least afirst setpoint icon representing the first setpoint; and in response toa user selecting of a displayed first setpoint icon, displayinginformation indicating to the user the way in which the first setpointwas generated and/or adjusted. According to some embodiments theplurality of predefined ways includes one or more of the following: by auser on the thermostat, by a user using a mobile device, by a user usinga web application, and by an automated learning algorithm. When thesetpoint was generated and/or adjusted by a mobile device, the displayedinformation preferably indicates an identification of a name associatedwith a mobile device.

It will be appreciated that these systems and methods are novel, as areapplications thereof and many of the components, systems, methods andalgorithms employed and included therein. It should be appreciated thatembodiments of the presently described inventive body of work can beimplemented in numerous ways, including as processes, apparata, systems,devices, methods, computer readable media, computational algorithms,embedded or distributed software and/or as a combination thereof.Several illustrative embodiments are described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The inventive body of work will be readily understood by referring tothe following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a smart home environment within whichone or more of the devices, methods, systems, services, and/or computerprogram products described further herein can be applicable;

FIG. 2 illustrates a network-level view of an extensible devices andservices platform with which the smart home of FIG. 1 can be integrated,according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates an abstracted functional view of the extensibledevices and services platform of FIG. 2, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an HVAC system, according to someembodiments;

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate a thermostat having a visually pleasing, smooth,sleek and rounded exterior appearance while at the same time includingone or more sensors for detecting occupancy and/or users, according tosome embodiments;

FIGS. 6A-6P illustrate aspects of a graphical user interface on smallformat touch-screen device for a network connected programmablethermostat, according to some embodiments;

FIGS. 7A-7D show aspects of a thermostat graphical user interfaceimplemented on a small-format touch screen device pertaining toresponsibility for setpoint changes and other events, according to someembodiments; and

FIGS. 8A-8B show aspects of a thermostat graphical user interfaceimplemented on a tablet computer with a touch screen device, accordingto some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of this patent specification relates to the subjectmatter of the following commonly assigned applications, each of which isincorporated by reference herein: U.S. Ser. No. 13/269,501 filed Oct. 7,2011; and U.S. Ser. No. 13/317,423 filed Oct. 17, 2011. Theabove-referenced patent applications are collectively referenced hereinas “the commonly assigned incorporated applications.”

A detailed description of the inventive body of work is provided herein.While several embodiments are described, it should be understood thatthe inventive body of work is not limited to any one embodiment, butinstead encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications, andequivalents. In addition, while numerous specific details are set forthin the following description in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the inventive body of work, some embodiments can bepracticed without some or all of these details. Moreover, for thepurpose of clarity, certain technical material that is known in therelated art has not been described in detail in order to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the inventive body of work.

As used herein the term “HVAC” includes systems providing both heatingand cooling, heating only, cooling only, as well as systems that provideother occupant comfort and/or conditioning functionality such ashumidification, dehumidification and ventilation.

As used herein the terms power “harvesting,” “sharing” and “stealing”when referring to HVAC thermostats all refer to thermostats that aredesigned to derive power from the power transformer through theequipment load without using a direct or common wire source directlyfrom the transformer.

As used herein the term “residential” when referring to an HVAC systemmeans a type of HVAC system that is suitable to heat, cool and/orotherwise condition the interior of a building that is primarily used asa single family dwelling. An example of a cooling system that would beconsidered residential would have a cooling capacity of less than about5 tons of refrigeration (1 ton of refrigeration=12,000 Btu/h).

As used herein the term “light commercial” when referring to an HVACsystem means a type of HVAC system that is suitable to heat, cool and/orotherwise condition the interior of a building that is primarily usedfor commercial purposes, but is of a size and construction that aresidential HVAC system is considered suitable. An example of a coolingsystem that would be considered residential would have a coolingcapacity of less than about 5 tons of refrigeration.

As used herein the term “thermostat” means a device or system forregulating parameters such as temperature and/or humidity within atleast a part of an enclosure. The term “thermostat” may include acontrol unit for a heating and/or cooling system or a component part ofa heater or air conditioner. As used herein the term “thermostat” canalso refer generally to a versatile sensing and control unit (VSCU unit)that is configured and adapted to provide sophisticated, customized,energy-saving HVAC control functionality while at the same time beingvisually appealing, non-intimidating, elegant to behold, anddelightfully easy to use.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a smart home environment within whichone or more of the devices, methods, systems, services, and/or computerprogram products described further herein can be applicable. Thedepicted smart home environment includes a structure 150, which caninclude, e.g., a house, office building, garage, or mobile home. It willbe appreciated that devices can also be integrated into a smart homeenvironment that does not include an entire structure 150, such as anapartment, condominium, or office space. Further, the smart homeenvironment can control and/or be coupled to devices outside of theactual structure 150. Indeed, several devices in the smart homeenvironment need not physically be within the structure 150 at all. Forexample, a device controlling a pool heater or irrigation system can belocated outside of the structure 150.

The depicted structure 150 includes a plurality of rooms 152, separatedat least partly from each other via walls 154. The walls 154 can includeinterior walls or exterior walls. Each room can further include a floor156 and a ceiling 158. Devices can be mounted on, integrated with and/orsupported by a wall 154, floor or ceiling.

The smart home depicted in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of devices,including intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected devices that canintegrate seamlessly with each other and/or with cloud-based serversystems to provide any of a variety of useful smart home objectives.One, more or each of the devices illustrated in the smart homeenvironment and/or in the figure can include one or more sensors, a userinterface, a power supply, a communications component, a modularity unitand intelligent software as described herein. Examples of devices areshown in FIG. 1.

An intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connected thermostat 102 candetect ambient climate characteristics (e.g., temperature and/orhumidity) and control a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC)system 103. One or more intelligent, network-connected, multi-sensinghazard detection units 104 can detect the presence of a hazardoussubstance and/or a hazardous condition in the home environment (e.g.,smoke, fire, or carbon monoxide). One or more intelligent,multi-sensing, network-connected entryway interface devices 106, whichcan be termed a “smart doorbell”, can detect a person's approach to ordeparture from a location, control audible functionality, announce aperson's approach or departure via audio or visual means, or controlsettings on a security system (e.g., to activate or deactivate thesecurity system).

Each of a plurality of intelligent, multi-sensing, network-connectedwall light switches 108 can detect ambient lighting conditions, detectroom-occupancy states and control a power and/or dim state of one ormore lights. In some instances, light switches 108 can further oralternatively control a power state or speed of a fan, such as a ceilingfan. Each of a plurality of intelligent, multi-sensing,network-connected wall plug interfaces 110 can detect occupancy of aroom or enclosure and control supply of power to one or more wall plugs(e.g., such that power is not supplied to the plug if nobody is athome). The smart home may further include a plurality of intelligent,multi-sensing, network-connected appliances 112, such as refrigerators,stoves and/or ovens, televisions, washers, dryers, lights (inside and/oroutside the structure 150), stereos, intercom systems, garage-dooropeners, floor fans, ceiling fans, whole-house fans, wall airconditioners, pool heaters 114, irrigation systems 116, security systems(including security system components such as cameras, motion detectorsand window/door sensors), and so forth. While descriptions of FIG. 1 canidentify specific sensors and functionalities associated with specificdevices, it will be appreciated that any of a variety of sensors andfunctionalities (such as those described throughout the specification)can be integrated into the device.

In addition to containing processing and sensing capabilities, each ofthe devices 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 and 116 can be capable ofdata communications and information sharing with any other of thedevices 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 114 and 116, as well as to anycloud server or any other device that is network-connected anywhere inthe world. The devices can send and receive communications via any of avariety of custom or standard wireless protocols (Wi-Fi, ZigBee,6LoWPAN, etc.) and/or any of a variety of custom or standard wiredprotocols (CAT6 Ethernet, HomePlug, etc.). The wall plug interfaces 110can serve as wireless or wired repeaters, and/or can function as bridgesbetween (i) devices plugged into AC outlets and communicating usingHomeplug or other power line protocol, and (ii) devices that not pluggedinto AC outlets.

For example, a first device can communicate with a second device via awireless router 160. A device can further communicate with remotedevices via a connection to a network, such as the Internet 162. Throughthe Internet 162, the device can communicate with a central server or acloud-computing system 164. The central server or cloud-computing system164 can be associated with a manufacturer, support entity or serviceprovider associated with the device. For one embodiment, a user may beable to contact customer support using a device itself rather thanneeding to use other communication means such as a telephone orInternet-connected computer. Further, software updates can beautomatically sent from the central server or cloud-computing system 164to devices (e.g., when available, when purchased, or at routineintervals).

By virtue of network connectivity, one or more of the smart-home devicesof FIG. 1 can further allow a user to interact with the device even ifthe user is not proximate to the device. For example, a user cancommunicate with a device using a computer (e.g., a desktop computer,laptop computer, or tablet) or other portable electronic device (e.g., asmartphone). A webpage or app can be configured to receivecommunications from the user and control the device based on thecommunications and/or to present information about the device'soperation to the user. For example, the user can view a current setpointtemperature for a device and adjust it using a computer. The user can bein the structure during this remote communication or outside thestructure.

The smart home also can include a variety of non-communicating legacyappliances 140, such as old conventional washer/dryers, refrigerators,and the like which can be controlled, albeit coarsely (ON/OFF), byvirtue of the wall plug interfaces 110. The smart home can furtherinclude a variety of partially communicating legacy appliances 142, suchas IR-controlled wall air conditioners or other IR-controlled devices,which can be controlled by IR signals provided by the hazard detectionunits 104 or the light switches 108.

FIG. 2 illustrates a network-level view of an extensible devices andservices platform with which the smart home of FIG. 1 can be integrated,according to some embodiments. Each of the intelligent,network-connected devices from FIG. 1 can communicate with one or moreremote central servers or cloud computing systems 164. The communicationcan be enabled by establishing connection to the Internet 162 eitherdirectly (for example, using 3G/4G connectivity to a wireless carrier),though a hubbed network (which can be scheme ranging from a simplewireless router, for example, up to and including an intelligent,dedicated whole-home control node), or through any combination thereof.

The central server or cloud-computing system 164 can collect operationdata 202 from the smart home devices. For example, the devices canroutinely transmit operation data or can transmit operation data inspecific instances (e.g., when requesting customer support). The centralserver or cloud-computing architecture 164 can further provide one ormore services 204. The services 204 can include, e.g., software update,customer support, sensor data collection/logging, remote access, remoteor distributed control, or use suggestions (e.g., based on collectedoperation data 204 to improve performance, reduce utility cost, etc.).Data associated with the services 204 can be stored at the centralserver or cloud-computing system 164 and the central server orcloud-computing system 164 can retrieve and transmit the data at anappropriate time (e.g., at regular intervals, upon receiving requestfrom a user, etc.).

One salient feature of the described extensible devices and servicesplatform, as illustrated in FIG. 2, is a processing engines 206, whichcan be concentrated at a single server or distributed among severaldifferent computing entities without limitation. Processing engines 206can include engines configured to receive data from a set of devices(e.g., via the Internet or a hubbed network), to index the data, toanalyze the data and/or to generate statistics based on the analysis oras part of the analysis. The analyzed data can be stored as derived data208. Results of the analysis or statistics can thereafter be transmittedback to a device providing ops data used to derive the results, to otherdevices, to a server providing a webpage to a user of the device, or toother non-device entities. For example, use statistics, use statisticsrelative to use of other devices, use patterns, and/or statisticssummarizing sensor readings can be transmitted. The results orstatistics can be provided via the Internet 162. In this manner,processing engines 206 can be configured and programmed to derive avariety of useful information from the operational data obtained fromthe smart home. A single server can include one or more engines.

The derived data can be highly beneficial at a variety of differentgranularities for a variety of useful purposes, ranging from explicitprogrammed control of the devices on a per-home, per-neighborhood, orper-region basis (for example, demand-response programs for electricalutilities), to the generation of inferential abstractions that canassist on a per-home basis (for example, an inference can be drawn thatthe homeowner has left for vacation and so security detection equipmentcan be put on heightened sensitivity), to the generation of statisticsand associated inferential abstractions that can be used for governmentor charitable purposes. For example, processing engines 206 can generatestatistics about device usage across a population of devices and sendthe statistics to device users, service providers or other entities(e.g., that have requested or may have provided monetary compensationfor the statistics). As specific illustrations, statistics can betransmitted to charities 222, governmental entities 224 (e.g., the Foodand Drug Administration or the Environmental Protection Agency),academic institutions 226 (e.g., university researchers), businesses 228(e.g., providing device warranties or service to related equipment), orutility companies 230. These entities can use the data to form programsto reduce energy usage, to preemptively service faulty equipment, toprepare for high service demands, to track past service performance,etc., or to perform any of a variety of beneficial functions or tasksnow known or hereinafter developed.

FIG. 3 illustrates an abstracted functional view of the extensibledevices and services platform of FIG. 2, with particular reference tothe processing engine 206 as well as the devices of the smart home. Eventhough the devices situated in the smart home will have an endlessvariety of different individual capabilities and limitations, they canall be thought of as sharing common characteristics in that each of themis a data consumer 302 (DC), a data source 304 (DS), a services consumer306 (SC), and a services source 308 (SS). Advantageously, in addition toproviding the essential control information needed for the devices toachieve their local and immediate objectives, the extensible devices andservices platform can also be configured to harness the large amount ofdata that is flowing out of these devices. In addition to enhancing oroptimizing the actual operation of the devices themselves with respectto their immediate functions, the extensible devices and servicesplatform can also be directed to “repurposing” that data in a variety ofautomated, extensible, flexible, and/or scalable ways to achieve avariety of useful objectives. These objectives may be predefined oradaptively identified based on, e.g., usage patterns, device efficiency,and/or user input (e.g., requesting specific functionality).

For example, FIG. 3 shows processing engine 206 as including a number ofparadigms 310. Processing engine 206 can include a managed servicesparadigm 310 a that monitors and manages primary or secondary devicefunctions. The device functions can include ensuring proper operation ofa device given user inputs, estimating that (e.g., and responding to) anintruder is or is attempting to be in a dwelling, detecting a failure ofequipment coupled to the device (e.g., a light bulb having burned out),implementing or otherwise responding to energy demand response events,or alerting a user of a current or predicted future event orcharacteristic. Processing engine 206 can further include anadvertising/communication paradigm 310 b that estimates characteristics(e.g., demographic information), desires and/or products of interest ofa user based on device usage. Services, promotions, products or upgradescan then be offered or automatically provided to the user. Processingengine 206 can further include a social paradigm 310 c that usesinformation from a social network, provides information to a socialnetwork (for example, based on device usage), processes data associatedwith user and/or device interactions with the social network platform.For example, a user's status as reported to their trusted contacts onthe social network could be updated to indicate when they are home basedon light detection, security system inactivation or device usagedetectors. As another example, a user may be able to share device-usagestatistics with other users. Processing engine 206 can include achallenges/rules/compliance/rewards paradigm 310 d that informs a userof challenges, rules, compliance regulations and/or rewards and/or thatuses operation data to determine whether a challenge has been met, arule or regulation has been complied with and/or a reward has beenearned. The challenges, rules or regulations can relate to efforts toconserve energy, to live safely (e.g., reducing exposure to toxins orcarcinogens), to conserve money and/or equipment life, to improvehealth, etc.

Processing engine can integrate or otherwise utilize extrinsicinformation 316 from extrinsic sources to improve the functioning of oneor more processing paradigms. Extrinsic information 316 can be used tointerpret operational data received from a device, to determine acharacteristic of the environment near the device (e.g., outside astructure that the device is enclosed in), to determine services orproducts available to the user, to identify a social network orsocial-network information, to determine contact information of entities(e.g., public-service entities such as an emergency-response team, thepolice or a hospital) near the device, etc., to identify statistical orenvironmental conditions, trends or other information associated with ahome or neighborhood, and so forth.

An extraordinary range and variety of benefits can be brought about by,and fit within the scope of, the described extensible devices andservices platform, ranging from the ordinary to the profound. Thus, inone “ordinary” example, each bedroom of the smart home can be providedwith a smoke/fire/CO alarm that includes an occupancy sensor, whereinthe occupancy sensor is also capable of inferring (e.g., by virtue ofmotion detection, facial recognition, audible sound patterns, etc.)whether the occupant is asleep or awake. If a serious fire event issensed, the remote security/monitoring service or fire department isadvised of how many occupants there are in each bedroom, and whetherthose occupants are still asleep (or immobile) or whether they haveproperly evacuated the bedroom. While this is, of course, a veryadvantageous capability accommodated by the described extensible devicesand services platform, there can be substantially more “profound”examples that can truly illustrate the potential of a larger“intelligence” that can be made available. By way of perhaps a more“profound” example, the same data bedroom occupancy data that is beingused for fire safety can also be “repurposed” by the processing engine206 in the context of a social paradigm of neighborhood childdevelopment and education. Thus, for example, the same bedroom occupancyand motion data discussed in the “ordinary” example can be collected andmade available for processing (properly anonymized) in which the sleeppatterns of schoolchildren in a particular ZIP code can be identifiedand tracked. Localized variations in the sleeping patterns of theschoolchildren may be identified and correlated, for example, todifferent nutrition programs in local schools.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an HVAC system, according to someembodiments. HVAC system 103 provides heating, cooling, ventilation,and/or air handling for an enclosure, such as structure 150 depicted inFIG. 1. System 103 depicts a forced air type heating and cooling system,although according to other embodiments, other types of HVAC systemscould be used such as radiant heat based systems, heat-pump basedsystems, and others.

For carrying out the heating function, heating coils or elements 442within air handler 440 provide a source of heat using electricity or gasvia line 436. Cool air is drawn from the enclosure via return air duct446 through filter 470, using fan 438 and is heated through heatingcoils or elements 442. The heated air flows back into the enclosure atone or more locations via supply air duct system 452 and supply airregisters such as register 450. In cooling, an outside compressor 430passes a gas such as Freon through a set of heat exchanger coils andthen through an expansion valve. The gas then goes through line 432 tothe cooling coils or evaporator coils 434 in the air handler 440 whereit expands, cools and cools the air being circulated via fan 438. Ahumidifier 454 may optionally be included in various embodiments thatreturns moisture to the air before it passes through duct system 452.Although not shown in FIG. 4, alternate embodiments of HVAC system 103may have other functionality such as venting air to and from theoutside, one or more dampers to control airflow within the duct system452 and an emergency heating unit. Overall operation of HVAC system 103is selectively actuated by control electronics 412 communicating withthermostat 102 over control wires 448.

FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate a thermostat having a visually pleasing, smooth,sleek and rounded exterior appearance while at the same time includingone or more sensors for detecting occupancy and/or users, according tosome embodiments. FIG. 5A is front view, FIG. 5B is a bottom elevation,FIG. 5C is a right side elevation, and FIG. 5D is prospective view ofthermostat 102. Unlike many prior art thermostats, thermostat 102 has asleek, simple, uncluttered and elegant design that does not detract fromhome decoration, and indeed can serve as a visually pleasing centerpiecefor the immediate location in which it is installed. Moreover, userinteraction with thermostat 102 is facilitated and greatly enhanced overknown conventional thermostats by the design of thermostat 102. Thethermostat 102 includes control circuitry and is electrically connectedto an HVAC system 103, such as is shown in FIGS. 1-4. Thermostat 102 iswall mountable, is circular in shape, and has an outer rotatable ring512 for receiving user input. Thermostat 102 is circular in shape inthat it appears as a generally disk-like circular object when mounted onthe wall. Thermostat 102 has a large convex rounded front face lyinginside the outer ring 512. According to some embodiments, thermostat 102is approximately 80 mm in diameter and protrudes from the wall, whenwall mounted, by 32 mm. The outer rotatable ring 512 allows the user tomake adjustments, such as selecting a new setpoint temperature. Forexample, by rotating the outer ring 512 clockwise, the realtime (i.e.currently active) setpoint temperature can be increased, and by rotatingthe outer ring 512 counter-clockwise, the realtime setpoint temperaturecan be decreased. The front face of the thermostat 102 comprises a clearcover 514 that according to some embodiments is polycarbonate, and aFresnel lens 510 having an outer shape that matches the contours of thecurved outer front face of the thermostat 102. According to someembodiments, the Fresnel lens elements are formed on the interiorsurface of the Fresnel lens piece 510 such that they are not obviouslyvisible by viewing the exterior of the thermostat 102. Behind theFresnel lens is a passive infrared sensor 550 for detecting occupancy,and the Fresnel lens piece 510 is made from a high-density polyethylene(HDPE) that has an infrared transmission range appropriate forsensitivity to human bodies. As shown in FIGS. 5A-5D, the front edge ofrotating ring 512, front face 514 and Fresnel lens 510 are shaped suchthat they together form a, integrated convex rounded front face that hasa common outward arc or spherical shape gently arcing outward.

Although being formed from a single lens-like piece of material such aspolycarbonate, the cover 514 has two different regions or portionsincluding an outer portion 514 o and a central portion 514 i. Accordingto some embodiments, the cover 514 is painted or smoked around the outerportion 514 o, but leaves the central portion 514 i visibly clear so asto facilitate viewing of an electronic display 516 disposedthereunderneath. According to some embodiments, the curved cover 514acts as a lens that tends to magnify the information being displayed inelectronic display 516 to users. According to some embodiments thecentral electronic display 516 is a dot-matrix layout (i.e. individuallyaddressable) such that arbitrary shapes can be generated, rather thanbeing a segmented layout. According to some embodiments, a combinationof dot-matrix layout and segmented layout is employed. According to someembodiments, central display 516 is a backlit color liquid crystaldisplay (LCD). An example of information displayed on the electronicdisplay 516 is illustrated in FIG. 5A, and includes central numerals 520that are representative of a current setpoint temperature. Thethermostat 102 is preferably constructed such that the electronicdisplay 516 is at a fixed orientation and does not rotate with the outerring 512, so that the electronic display 516 remains easily read by theuser. For some embodiments, the cover 514 and Fresnel lens 510 alsoremain at a fixed orientation and do not rotate with the outer ring 512.According to one embodiment in which the diameter of the thermostat 102is about 80 mm, the diameter of the electronic display 516 is about 45mm. According to some embodiments the gently outwardly curved shape ofthe front surface of thermostat 102, which is made up of cover 514,Fresnel lens 510 and the front facing portion of ring 512, is spherical,and matches a sphere having a radius of between 100 mm and 150 mm.According to some embodiments, the radius of the spherical shape of thethermostat front is about 136 mm.

Motion sensing with PIR sensor 550 as well as other techniques can beused in the detection and/or predict of occupancy, as is describedfurther in the commonly assigned U.S. Ser. No. 12/881,430, which isincorporated herein by reference. According to some embodiments,occupancy information is used in generating an effective and efficientscheduled program. A second downwardly-tilted PIR sensor 552 is providedto detect an approaching user. The proximity sensor 552 can be used todetect proximity in the range of about one meter so that the thermostat102 can initiate “waking up” when the user is approaching the thermostatand prior to the user touching the thermostat. Such use of proximitysensing is useful for enhancing the user experience by being “ready” forinteraction as soon as, or very soon after the user is ready to interactwith the thermostat. Further, the wake-up-on-proximity functionalityalso allows for energy savings within the thermostat by “sleeping” whenno user interaction is taking place our about to take place.

According to some embodiments, for the combined purposes of inspiringuser confidence and further promoting visual and functional elegance,the thermostat 102 is controlled by only two types of user input, thefirst being a rotation of the outer ring 512 as shown in FIG. 5A(referenced hereafter as a “rotate ring” or “ring rotation” input), andthe second being an inward push on head unit 540 until an audible and/ortactile “click” occurs (referenced hereafter as an “inward click” orsimply “click” input). For such embodiments, the head unit 540 is anassembly that includes all of the outer ring 512, cover 514, electronicdisplay 516, and the Fresnel lens 510. When pressed inwardly by theuser, the head unit 540 travels inwardly by a small amount, such as 0.5mm, against an interior metallic dome switch (not shown), and thenspringably travels back outwardly by that same amount when the inwardpressure is released, providing a satisfying tactile “click” sensationto the user's hand, along with a corresponding gentle audible clickingsound. Thus, for the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5D, an inward click can beachieved by direct pressing on the outer ring 512 itself, or by indirectpressing of the outer ring by virtue of providing inward pressure on thecover 514, lens 510, or by various combinations thereof. For otherembodiments, the thermostat 102 can be mechanically configured such thatonly the outer ring 512 travels inwardly for the inward click input,while the cover 514 and lens 510 remain motionless. It is to beappreciated that a variety of different selections and combinations ofthe particular mechanical elements that will travel inwardly to achievethe “inward click” input are within the scope of the present teachings,whether it be the outer ring 512 itself, some part of the cover 514, orsome combination thereof. However, it has been found particularlyadvantageous to provide the user with an ability to quickly go back andforth between registering “ring rotations” and “inward clicks” with asingle hand and with minimal amount of time and effort involved, and sothe ability to provide an inward click directly by pressing the outerring 512 has been found particularly advantageous, since the user'sfingers do not need to be lifted out of contact with the device, or slidalong its surface, in order to go between ring rotations and inwardclicks. Moreover, by virtue of the strategic placement of the electronicdisplay 516 centrally inside the rotatable ring 512, a further advantageis provided in that the user can naturally focus their attention on theelectronic display throughout the input process, right in the middle ofwhere their hand is performing its functions. The combination ofintuitive outer ring rotation, especially as applied to (but not limitedto) the changing of a thermostat's setpoint temperature, convenientlyfolded together with the satisfying physical sensation of inwardclicking, together with accommodating natural focus on the electronicdisplay in the central midst of their fingers' activity, addssignificantly to an intuitive, seamless, and downright fun userexperience. Further descriptions of advantageous mechanicaluser-interfaces and related designs, which are employed according tosome embodiments, can be found in U.S. Ser. Nos. 13/033,573, 29/386,021,and 13/199,108, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIGS. 5B and 5C are bottom and right side elevation views of thethermostat 102, which has been found to provide a particularly pleasingand adaptable visual appearance when viewed against a variety ofdifferent wall colors and wall textures in a variety of different homeenvironments and home settings. While the thermostat itself willfunctionally adapt to the user's schedule as described herein and in oneor more of the commonly assigned incorporated applications, the outershape is specially configured to convey a “chameleon” quality orcharacteristic such that the overall device appears to naturally blendin, in a visual and decorative sense, with many of the most common wallcolors and wall textures found in home and business environments, atleast in part because it will appear to assume the surrounding colorsand even textures when viewed from many different angles.

According to some embodiments, the thermostat 102 includes a processingsystem 560, display driver 564 and a wireless communications system 566.The processing system 560 is adapted to cause the display driver 564 anddisplay 516 to display information to the user, and to receiver userinput via the rotatable ring 512. The processing system 560, accordingto some embodiments, is capable of carrying out the governance of theoperation of thermostat 102 including various user interface features.The processing system 560 is further programmed and configured to carryout other operations as described further hereinbelow and/or in otherones of the commonly assigned incorporated applications. For example,processing system 560 is further programmed and configured to maintainand update a thermodynamic model for the enclosure in which the HVACsystem is installed, such as described in U.S. Ser. No. 12/881,463, andin International Patent App. No. PCT/US11/51579, both of which areincorporated herein by reference. According to some embodiments, thewireless communications system 566 is used to communicate with devicessuch as personal computers and/or other thermostats or HVAC systemcomponents, which can be peer-to-peer communications, communicationsthrough one or more servers located on a private network, or and/orcommunications through a cloud-based service.

According to some embodiments, for ease of installation, configurationand/or upgrading, especially by a non-expert installer such as a user,the thermostat 102 includes a head unit 540 and a backplate (or walldock) 542. As is described hereinabove, thermostat 102 is wall mountedand has circular in shape and has an outer rotatable ring 512 forreceiving user input. Head unit 540 of thermostat 102 is slidablymountable onto back plate 542 and slidably detachable therefrom.According to some embodiments the connection of the head unit 540 tobackplate 542 can be accomplished using magnets, bayonet, latches andcatches, tabs or ribs with matching indentations, or simply friction onmating portions of the head unit 540 and backplate 542. Also shown inFIG. 5A is a rechargeable battery 522 that is recharged using rechargingcircuitry 524 that uses power from backplate that is either obtained viapower harvesting (also referred to as power stealing and/or powersharing) from the HVAC system control circuit(s) or from a common wire,if available, as described in further detail in co-pending patentapplication U.S. Ser. Nos. 13/034,674, and 13/034,678, which areincorporated by reference herein. According to some embodiments,rechargeable battery 522 is a single cell lithium-ion, or alithium-polymer battery.

FIGS. 6A-6P illustrate aspects of a graphical user interface on smallformat touch-screen device for a network connected programmablethermostat, according to some embodiments. In FIG. 6A, smartphone 600 isshown as an iPhone 4s running the Apple iOS operating system, althoughaccording to other embodiments the smartphone 600 could be a differentdevice running a different operating system such as Android, Symbian,RIM, or Windows operating systems. Smart phone 600 has a touch sensitivedisplay 610 on which various types of information can be shown and fromwhich various types of user input can be received. For the example shownof an iPhone 4s, the display 610 is 3.5 inches measured diagonally.However, other smartphones may have slightly smaller, or largerdisplays, for example the iPhone 5 (4 inch diagonal), Samsung Galaxy S3(4.8 inch diagonal), and Samsung Galaxy Note (5.3 inch diagonal). In anycase the relatively small size of the smartphone touch screen displaypresents a challenge when designing a user-friendly interface. Note thatwhile the user's hand 602 is shown in FIG. 6A to scale, in subsequentdrawings, the user's hand is shown smaller in order not to overlyobscure the features being described herein.

The display area shows a top information bar 620 that is generated byand is standard to the operating system of the phone 600. In FIGS. 6Aand 6B, the smart phone is oriented in a portrait orientation, such thatthe long edge of the display 610 is vertically oriented. An upper bannerare 622 includes information such as the thermostat manufacture's logo,as well as the city name and current outdoor temperature for thelocation where the user's thermostat is installed. A main window area630 shows a house symbol 632 with the name assigned in which thermostatis installed. A thermostat symbol 634 is also displayed along with thename assigned to the thermostat. For further details of user interfacesfor remote devices such as smartphone 600, see co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/317,423, and 13/434,560, both of which areincorporated herein by reference. In response to a user touching thethermostat icon 634, an animated transition is made to display icon 636which is larger than the icon 634 and is configured to mimic the displayon the thermostat represented, including the current temperature shownin large central numerals, as well as the current setpoint temperatureshown on a circular arrangement of tickmarks. For further details onaspects of the graphical user interface of thermostats, see U.S. PatentPublication No. 2012/0130546 A1, as well as commonly-assigned U.S. Pat.No. 8,195,313, both of which are incorporated by reference herein. Whenoriented in a portrait mode, according to some embodiments, anotification 638 is displayed that informs the user that further userinterface features are available in landscape mode. When the user turnsthe smartphone 600 sideways, the screen transitions to a screen such asshown in FIG. 6C.

In FIG. 6C, a lower menu bar 640 has an arrow shape that points to thesymbol to which the displayed menu applies. In the example shown in FIG.6C, the arrow shape of menu 640 is pointed at the thermostat symbol 634,indicating that the menu items, namely: Energy, Schedule, and Settings,pertain to the thermostat named “living room.” Menu 640 also includes anon/off toggle button 642 from which the user can turn off or on thethermostat. When the “Schedule” menu option of selected from menu 640 inFIG. 6C by the user, the display 610 transitions to that shown in FIG.6D. In FIG. 6D, an upper menu area 650 mimics the menu 640 in FIG. 6Cand provides the user location information within the menu structure aswell as provides a convenient means for the user to navigate within themenu structure. The central display area 658 shows the variousprogrammed setpoint temperatures laid out in a calendar format in whicheach row represents a day of the week, such as row 652 representing thesetpoints for each Tuesday. For each day of the week, individualsetpoints are represented by a colored disk with numerals indicating thesetpoint temperature. The disk's horizontal position indicates the timeof day that the setpoint becomes active, with the time labels beingshown near the bottom of display area 658. The colors of the disksindicate the type of HVAC function associated with the setpoint.According to some preferred embodiments, an orange color is associatedwith heating setpoints and a blue color is associated with coolingsetpoints. To example setpoint icons 654 and 656 are shown for Tuesday.Note that in this example the schedule is a weekly schedule which isintended to repeat each week. According to some other embodiments, othertypes of program schedules can be accommodated by the user interfacetechniques described herein, including daily, by-weekly, monthly,seasonal, etc.

If the user wants to see more detail for a particular day of the week,the user touches somewhere on the row for that day. For example in FIG.6D a user is touching the row 652 for Tuesday. Note that according tosome embodiments, the user can touch the label “Tuesday” or anywhereelse on the row 652 to transition to a more detailed view for that day,which is shown in FIG. 6E. In FIG. 6E the central area 662 displayssetpoints for the day of the week, Tuesday, on a detailedtwo-dimensional graph in which the horizontal axis represents the timeof day the setpoint becomes active and the vertical axis represents thetemperature associated with the setpoint. As in the case of FIG. 6D,each setpoint disk has numerals indicating the setpoint temperature, aswell as a color indicating the type of HVAC function (e.g. heating orcooling) associated with the setpoint. Also shown in FIG. 6E is a lowermenu area 660 that includes menu items “WEEK” for returning to theweekly display as shown in FIG. 6D, “ADD” for adding a new setpoint; and“REMOVE” for removing an existing setpoint. For further details of userinterface features relating to such schedule displays on remote devices,see U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/275,311, filed Oct. 17, 2011,and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0191257 A1, both ofwhich are incorporated by reference herein.

When a user wishes to adjust a programmed setpoint (i.e. eitheradjusting the time or the setpoint temperature associated with thesetpoint), the user touches and holds the disk icon for the setpoint. InFIG. 6E, the user wishes to adjust setpoint 666 and is thereforetouching that disk. In response, as shown in FIG. 6F, a setpointmodification user interface mode is activated. A large disk 672 isdisplayed directly above the original setpoint disk position. The largedisk 672 initially shows in larger numerals the setpoint temperaturecurrently associated with that setpoint (prior adjustment). Since theuser's finger tends to block the information on the smaller disk beingtouched, the larger disk has been found to very helpful. The originaldisk 666 is replaced by a numberless disk symbol 674, which is nowunderneath the user's fingertip. A cross-shaped two dimensionaldirection indicator 670 is displayed, such as by a darker shaded color,to indicated to the user that either the time or the temperature can bemodified simply by a dragging motion with the user's finger. Whenediting a setpoint, it has been found that allowing the user to simplytouch and drag the displayed setpoint disk icon is both intuitive anduser friendly. Importantly, it has been found that in the vast majorityof cases, when a user wishes to modify a setpoint, it is either to thetime or the temperature of the setpoint, but not to both. Furthermore ithas been found that for small format touch screen displays such as witha smart phone or tablet computer, when the user intends to modify onlytime or temperature, it is quite easy for the user to accidentallymodify the other parameter. This is because on a small format touchscreen device, relatively small movements can be used to makesignificant changes in the setpoint temperature and/or time. Forexample, on a smart phone display such as shown in FIG. 6F, if the userintends to make a change in the setpoint temperature, the user will makea dragging gesture in a vertical direction. However if the draggingmotion is even slightly diagonal rather then perfectly vertical, theuser may accidentally also change the setpoint time by 15 minutes ormore. Similarly, if the user intends to make a change in the setpointtime, the user will make a dragging gesture in a horizontal direction.However, if the dragging motion is even slightly diagonal rather thanperfectly horizontal, the user may accidentally also change the setpointtemperature by one or more degrees. Accordingly, according to preferredembodiments, the user's adjustments to a setpoint are constrained toeither time or temperature depending on a determination of the user'sintent.

If the user wishes to adjust the temperature of the setpoint 666, theuser will make a dragging gesture, without lifting the finger off thescreen 610, in an upwards direction to increase the setpoint temperatureand in a downwards direction to decrease the setpoint temperature. Theuser interface application (e.g. the mobile app) senses the verticalmotion quickly transitions the screen to that shown in FIG. 6G, whichwill only allow changes to temperature and not to time. Note that thecross-shaped two-dimensional direction indicator 670 of FIG. 6F isreplaced by a vertical slider indictor 676 to indicate to the user thatonly temperature can be adjusted. Note that the large disk symbol 672displays in real time the new setpoint temperature. When the user'sdesired new setpoint is shown in disk 672, the user releases theirfinger from screen 610 and the new temperature is adopted for thesetpoint, and the screen transitions to a format shown in FIG. 6E.According to some embodiments, the setpoint temperature can be adjustedin increments of either one degree Fahrenheit, or half of one degreeCelsius. According to some embodiments, a leaf symbol is displayed whenthe new setpoint would be worth of the leaf symbol, for exampleaccording to one or more algorithms such as described in co-pending U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/434,560 filed Mar. 29, 2012, which isincorporated herein by reference.

However, starting again from FIG. 6F, if the user wishes to modify thetime associated with the setpoint (i.e. the time of day that thesetpoint becomes active), user makes a dragging gesture to the right tomake the setpoint activate later, or to the left to make the setpointactivate earlier. As soon as the user begins to drag their finger in avertical direction, a determination is made that the user intends tomodify the setpoint temperature and the screen is quickly transitionedto the screen as shown in FIG. 6H, which will only allow changes to timeand not to temperature. Note that the cross-shaped two-dimensionaldirection indicator 670 of FIG. 6F is replaced by a horizontal sliderindictor 678 to indicate to the user that only the time can be adjusted.According to some embodiments, the setpoint time can be adjusted inincrements of 15 minutes. Note that the disk 672 now displays the newtime to be associated with the setpoint. When the user sees the newdesired time in disk 672, such as shown FIG. 6I, where the user wishesto the new setpoint time to be 8:30 AM, the user simply releases theirfinger from screen 610 and the new time is adopted for the setpoint, andthe screen transitions to a format shown in FIG. 6E. Note that in therather uncommon case that a user wishes to modify both time andtemperature for a setpoint, this can still be accomplished by firstmodifying one parameter and then the other as described.

FIG. 6J shows aspects in determining a user's intention in adjusting asetpoint, according to some embodiments. To determine which parameter,time or temperature, the user wishes to adjust, the initial motion ofthe dragging gesture by the user's finder is analyzed. According to oneembodiment, if the user's initial finger movement is within 45 degreesof a vertical direction, such as the case of direction arrow 692, it isdetermined that the user intends to adjust the setpoint temperature, andif the user's initial finger movement is within 45 degrees of ahorizontal direction, as in the case of direction arrow 690, then it isdetermined that user intends to adjust the setpoint time. Other methodsof determining can also be used, such as asking the user, in cases theinitial movement is close to 45 degrees.

FIG. 6K-6N show further aspects of a thermostat graphical user interfaceimplemented on a small-format touch screen device, according to someembodiments. When the user double taps anywhere in the central area 662of a single-day two-dimensional setpoint plot, such as shown in FIG. 6K,a transition is smoothly and quickly made to a multi-day two-dimensionalsetpoint plot such as shown in FIG. 6L, where central area 680 has amore compressed time scale than area 662 of the single-day plot shown inFIG. 6K, such that it includes slightly less than 48 hours of setpointinformation. A multi-day display can be useful, for example, when theuser wishes to look setpoints or compare setpoints between severaldifferent days of the week. According to some embodiments, as shown inFIGS. 6M and 6N, a dragging gesture anywhere in the central area 680scrolls the time line of the multi-day plot so that the user can quicklyand intuitively view and modify (using the same procedure shown in FIGS.6E-6J) setpoints from various days of the week. According to someembodiments, the dragging-to-scroll functionality illustrated in FIGS.6M and 6N are also operable when viewing a single-day plot such as inFIG. 6K, and works in the same way except that the time scale is notcompressed an still only shows 24 hours at at time.

FIGS. 6O and 6P show further aspects of a thermostat graphical userinterface implemented on a small-format touch screen device, accordingto some embodiments. It has been found that many times a user makesdetailed adjustments to all the setpoints of a given day of the week,and subsequently wishes to copy and paste those setpoints to one or moreother days of the week. For example a good program schedule for Tuesdaymay also be a good for the other weekdays, namely Monday, Wednesday,Thursday and Friday. In such cases cutting and pasting setpoints fromone day to another can easily be accomplished as shown in FIGS. 6O and6P. By tapping and holding anywhere in a two-dimensional plot such asthe single-day plot shown in FIG. 6O, an option is given to “Copy” allthe setpoints. According to some embodiments, all the setpoints for theday can be deleted using the “Clear Day” option. After a “Copy” optionhas been selected, the user can navigate to a the two-dimensional plotof a different day (for example using the double tap and drag gesturesas shown in FIGS. 6K-6N, or simply the dragging gesture). Then singletapping on any other day highlights that day (such as by shading thearea corresponding to that day as shown in FIG. 6P), and the option 684to “Paste” the previously copied setpoints is given as shown in FIG. 6P.

FIGS. 7A-7D show aspects of a thermostat graphical user interfaceimplemented on a small-format touch screen device pertaining toresponsibility for setpoint changes and other events, according to someembodiments. Shown in FIG. 7A is a detailed energy information screen,such as described in further detail in co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/434,560, filed Mar. 29, 2012, which isincorporated by reference herein. Shown in the detailed time-line area710 is a time-line bar 782 for the entire day with hash marks or symbolsfor each two hours. The main bar 782 is used to indicate the timesduring the day and duration of each time the HVAC function was active.The color of the horizontal activity bar, such as bar 786 matches theHVAC function being used, and the width of the activity bar correspondsto the time of day during which the function was active. According tosome embodiments the thermostat and HVAC system are capable of up tothree stages of heating and two stages of cooling, and the activity barsare color coded to show which stages were active during which times. Forexample, progressively more saturated colors or orange-red can be usedfor each more power stage of heat, such as salmon for first stage heat,orange for second stage heat and red-orange for third stage heat.Likewise light and dark blue can be used for first and second stagecooling respectively.

Also shown on the detailed time-line area 710 are a number of eventsymbols such as setpoint disk 712 which indicates that setpoint of 70degrees was activated at about 11 AM on Saturday, February 25^(th).According to some embodiments, touching the event symbol 712 by the useractivate an information bubble 714 that shows the user information as tothe setpoint. In this case, the setpoint was set using a mobile app. ona smartphone identified as “Kate's iPhone.” In the case shown in FIG.7B, the event symbol 722 represents a setpoint of 63 degrees. The user'sselection of the setpoint 722 causes the information bubble 724 to bedisplayed which indicates that that setpoint was set by “Nest Learning”which is an automated learning algorithm that can set and adjustsetpoints to enhance comfort as well as cost savings. For further detailon learning algorithms for establishing and/or adjusting setpoints basedon either real-time manual adjustments (meaning the user wishes toadjust the current temperature) and non-real-time manual adjustments(meaning the user wishes to adjust a programmed setpoint), see, U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/550,346, filed Oct. 21, 2011,and International Patent Publication No. WO 2012/068591, both of whichare incorporated herein by reference. In the example shown in FIG. 7C,the away event symbol is selected by the user, which causes theinformation bubble 734 to be displayed. In this case the away mode wasset manually by a user. In other cases an away mode can be initiated byan “auto-away” algorithm such as described in further detail in U.S.Patent Application Publication No. US 2012/0186774 A1, which isincorporate by reference herein. In such cases the information bubblecan read, for example “Away Mode Set Automatically by Auto-Away.” Whilethe setpoints shown in the historical energy display of FIGS. 7A-7B wereactual setpoints that were either scheduled or manually initiated,according to some embodiments, similar information can be displayed forscheduled setpoints. Shown in FIG. 7D is a two-dimensional setpointplot. In response to the user double tapping a setpoint disk 742, theinformation bubble 744 is displayed that indicates that a smart phoneidentified as “Bill's iPhone” was used to create, or most recentlymodify that setpoint.

FIGS. 8A-8B show aspects of a thermostat graphical user interfaceimplemented on a tablet computer with a touch screen device, accordingto some embodiments. Each of the features described herein with respectto a smart phone touch screen device, can also be implemented on largertouch screen devices such as a tablet computer. For example, in FIG. 8A,an iPad 800 is running the Apple iOS operating system, althoughaccording to other embodiments the tablet 800 could be a differentdevice running a different operating system such as the Android,Blackberry or Windows operating systems. Tablet 800 has a touchsensitive display 810 on which various types of information can be shownand from which various types of user input can be received. The displayarea shows a top information bar 820 that is generated by and isstandard to the operating system of the tablet 800. A main window area830 shows a house symbol 832 with the name assigned in which thermostatis installed. A thermostat symbol 834 is also displayed along with thename assigned to the thermostat. For further details of user interfacesfor remote devices such as tablet 800, see co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/317,423, which is incorporated herein byreference. The lower menu bar 850 has an arrow shape that points to thesymbol to which the displayed menu applies. In the example shown in FIG.8A, arrow shape of menu 850 is pointed at the thermostat logo 834, sothe menu items, namely: Energy, Schedule, and Settings, pertain to thethermostat named “living room.” In the lower display area 862 atwo-dimensional setpoint plot is shown wherein the user is making anadjustment to the setpoint symbol at location 874 as shown by thecross-shaped two-dimensional direction indicator 870. A large disk 872is also displayed as described infra with respect to FIG. 6F. In FIG.8B, historical energy information is being displayed in the lower area860. In response to the user selecting a setpoint event symbol 822, theinformation bubble 824 is displayed that indicates the setpoint was setby a smart phone identified as “Bill's iPhone.”

Although the concepts relating to user interfaces for small format touchscreens have been thus far described with respect to a thermostat,according to some embodiments these concepts are applicable beyond theimmediate environment of HVAC to the smart home as a whole, as well asto network-based ecosystems within which the invention may beapplicable. Other applications in a smart home setting, such as shown inFIG. 1, for the described small format touch screen settings usingconstrained variables includes: irrigation settings (where a user maywant to edit either days of the week and watering time on a small formattouch screen display), as well as home electronics settings such astelevisions, stereos, etc.

Applications in a smart home, such as shown in FIG. 1, for the describedsetpoint responsibility indicator includes other settings where it woulduseful for a user to know who and/or when a settings was established oradjusted. Such applications include pool/spa heater adjustments, andsettings with appliances such as refrigerators and/or freezers.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. It is to be further appreciated that the termthermostat, as used hereinabove and hereinbelow, can include thermostatshaving direct control wires to an HVAC system, and can further includethermostats that do not connect directly with the HVAC system, but thatsense an ambient temperature at one location in an enclosure andcooperatively communicate by wired or wireless data connections with aseparate thermostat unit located elsewhere in the enclosure, wherein theseparate thermostat unit does have direct control wires to the HVACsystem. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the above-describedembodiments, but instead is defined by the appended claims in light oftheir full scope of equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of interactively and graphicallydisplaying programmed setpoint information to a user of an HVAC systemcontrolled by a thermostat, the method comprising: receiving andstoring, by a mobile device, information indicating that a firstsetpoint change in a setpoint schedule was made on a user interface ofthe thermostat; receiving and storing, by the mobile device, informationindicating that a second setpoint change in the setpoint schedule wasmade by a first identified user; displaying, on a display of the mobiledevice, a graphical daily summary of thermostat information for each ofa plurality of days, the graphical daily summary including at least afirst setpoint icon representing the first setpoint and a secondsetpoint icon representing the second setpoint; receiving, by the mobiledevice, a selection of the displayed first setpoint icon; displaying, onthe display of the mobile device, information indicating that the firstsetpoint was changed by the user interface of the thermostat; receiving,by the mobile device, a selection of the displayed second setpoint icon:and displaying, on the display of the mobile device, informationindicating that the second setpoint was changed by the first identifieduser.
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein a plurality ofpredefined ways in which setpoints can be generated and/or adjustedincludes one or more of the following selected from a group consistingof: by a user on the thermostat, by a user on the mobile device, by auser using a web application, and by an automated learning algorithm. 3.The method according to claim 2 wherein a way in which the firstsetpoint was generated and/or adjusted is by a user on a mobile device,and the displayed information indicating the way in which the firstsetpoint was generated and/or adjusted includes an identification of aname associated with the mobile device.
 4. The method according to claim1 wherein the graphical daily summary includes a displayed away symbolindicating the thermostat activated an away mode, the method furthercomprising in response to receiving a selection of the displayed awaysymbol, displaying information indicating to the user whether the awaymode was initiated by a user or automatically.
 5. The method accordingto claim 1 wherein the mobile device comprises a smart phone.
 6. Themethod according to claim 1 wherein the mobile device comprises a tabletcomputer.
 7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the mobile devicecomprises part of personal computer system running a web-basedapplication.
 8. A non-transitory electronic storage medium comprisinginstructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause theone or more processors to perform operations comprising: receiving andstoring, by a mobile device, information indicating that a firstsetpoint change in a setpoint schedule was made on a user interface of athermostat; receiving and storing, by the mobile device, informationindicating that a second setpoint change in the setpoint schedule wasmade by a first identified user; displaying, on a display of the mobiledevice, a graphical daily summary of thermostat information for each ofa plurality of days, the graphical daily summary including at least afirst setpoint icon representing the first setpoint and a secondsetpoint icon representing the second setpoint; receiving, by the mobiledevice, a selection of the displayed first setpoint icon; displaying, onthe display of the mobile device, information indicating that the firstsetpoint was changed by the user interface of the thermostat; receiving,by the mobile device, a selection of the displayed second setpoint icon;and displaying, on the display of the mobile device, informationindicating that the second setpoint was changed by the first identifieduser.
 9. The non-transitory electronic storage medium of claim 8 whereina plurality of predefined ways in which setpoints can be generatedand/or adjusted includes one or more of the following selected from agroup consisting of: by a user on the thermostat, by a user on themobile device, by a user using a web application, and by an automatedlearning algorithm.
 10. The non-transitory electronic storage medium ofclaim 9 wherein a way in which the first setpoint was generated and/oradjusted is by a user on a mobile device, and the displayed informationindicating the way in which the first setpoint was generated and/oradjusted includes an identification of a name associated with the mobiledevice.
 11. The non-transitory electronic storage medium of claim 8wherein the graphical daily summary includes a displayed away symbolindicating the thermostat activated an away mode, wherein theinstructions further cause the one or more processors to, in response toreceiving a selection of the displayed away symbol, displayinginformation indicating to the user whether the away mode was initiatedby a user or automatically.
 12. The non-transitory electronic storagemedium of claim 8 wherein the mobile device comprises a smart phone. 13.The non-transitory electronic storage medium of claim 8 wherein themobile device comprises a tablet computer.
 14. The non-transitoryelectronic storage medium of claim 8 wherein the mobile device comprisespart of personal computer system running a web-based application.
 15. Asystem comprising: one or more processors; a display device; one or morememories comprising instructions that, when executed by the one or moreprocessors, cause the one or more processors to perform operationscomprising: receiving and storing, by a mobile device, informationindicating that a first setpoint change in a setpoint schedule was madeon a user interface of a thermostat; receiving and storing, by themobile device, information indicating that a second setpoint change inthe setpoint schedule was made by a first identified user; displaying,on a display of the mobile device, a graphical daily summary ofthermostat information for each of a plurality of days, the graphicaldaily summary including at least a first setpoint icon representing thefirst setpoint and a second setpoint icon representing the secondsetpoint; receiving, by the mobile device, a selection of the displayedfirst setpoint icon; displaying, on the display of the mobile device,information indicating that the first setpoint was changed by the userinterface of the thermostat; receiving, by the mobile device, aselection of the displayed second setpoint icon; and displaying, on thedisplay of the mobile device, information indicating that the secondsetpoint was changed by the first identified user.
 16. The system ofclaim 15 wherein a plurality of predefined ways in which setpoints canbe generated and/or adjusted includes one or more of the followingselected from a group consisting of: by a user on the thermostat, by auser on the mobile device, by a user using a web application, and by anautomated learning algorithm.
 17. The system of claim 16 wherein a wayin which the first setpoint was generated and/or adjusted is by a useron a mobile device, and the displayed information indicating the way inwhich the first setpoint was generated and/or adjusted includes anidentification of a name associated with the mobile device.
 18. Thesystem of claim 17 wherein the graphical daily summary includes adisplayed away symbol indicating the thermostat activated an away mode,wherein the instructions further cause the one or more processors to, inresponse to receiving a selection of the displayed away symbol,displaying information indicating to the user whether the away mode wasinitiated by a user or automatically.
 19. The system of claim 17 whereinthe mobile device comprises a smart phone.
 20. The system of claim 17wherein the mobile device comprises part of personal computer systemrunning a web-based application.